Contract (Tenure-Track) Faculty Classroom Observation Procedures

The procedures below have been summarized from the AFT contract. Please refer to the AFT contract for legal conditions and obligations.

Tenure-track faculty are evaluated each fall for four years, before tenure may be achieved. Additional evaluations may be initiated by the dean.

The Tenure Review Committee (TRC) consists of an appropriate manager and two tenured faculty members.

An evaluation consists of two peer evaluations, one manager evaluation, and a student component.

Please click here for a copy of the TENURE REVIEW COMMITTEE CHECKLIST.

Observations in the candidate’s first semester of employment will be done after week six of the semester (or equivalent for short term classes). Subsequent evaluations shall occur after week five of the semester.

Upon consensus of the TRC a second visitation by any committee member may be scheduled.

A classroom review must be a minimum of 50 minutes.

The student component for a tenure-track faculty member consists of each and every section taught. Distance Ed classes have a student component that is set up electronically by the FEO. If observed for purposes of evaluation, the evaluator must have prior distance ed experience.

Student components may be administered by a peer evaluator, manager, or designated classified staff member.

Evaluations must conclude by week 12 of the semester.

Please return all student components to the Faculty Evaluations Office no later than week 12 of the semester. Earlier is appreciated, as all comments must be transcribed.

The TRC committee shall meet no later than two weeks prior to the end of the semester to review the Summary Report (supplied by the Faculty Evaluations Office) and make its recommendation of the evaluee's status for the next academic year.

The committee shall present its preliminary Summary Report and preliminary recommendations to the candidate no later than 1 week prior to the end of the semester.